University Times

The Staff Association Council (SAC) elected two members last week to serve the remaining terms of officers who resigned in January.

Gwen Watkins was elected SAC vice president for steering. (See feature story on Watkins.) Angela Peskie was elected vice president for marketing and communications. Their interim terms run until the regular officer elections, which are scheduled for June.

Watkins reported that this year’s Pitt Kennywood Day, set for June 11, will include a special SAC-sponsored raffle of three items: two Pitt-themed afghans and a quilted pillow. Tickets for the raffle are available from Watkins at 710 Alumni Hall for $1 apiece or three tickets for $2. Tickets also will be sold at the June 11 Kennywood event.

The homemade afghans were made and donated by Skip Boylan, sister-in-law of SAC President Rich Colwell; the pillow was made by SAC member Barbara Zischkau. Proceeds from the raffle will support the SAC Book Fund for Undergraduate Children of Staff.

Watkins, who also chairs the program and planning committee, reported that SAC’s Easter candy drive netted $3,187 for the book fund. SAC member Brittany Guthrie raised the most money — $365 — and was awarded a prize of four tickets to a future Pitt theatre arts production.

In other SAC business:

• Guthrie reported on the second annual CPR and basic first aid classes available for employees, families and guests to be held in April.

• Members are making plans for SAC’s 35th anniversary celebration, to be held as part of the new members’ orientation lunch in July. Details are pending.

• Peskie read reports from two regional staff organizations. The Pitt-Bradford Staff Association has hosted several workshops with themes geared to staff needs. Those included “get fit in 2005” fitness center orientation sessions, a meditation workshop and a financial planning workshop.

The UPB Staff Association events committee hosted the 10th annual bowling tournament for employees, spouses and guests March 10.

The association’s communications committee is updating and improving its web site.

The 2005 Council of Campuses, an annual meeting of representatives from the staff associations at Pitt’s five campuses, will be held this spring at Pitt-Bradford, on a date to be announced.

The Greensburg campus Staff Association sponsors a monthly brown bag lunch series. The Feb. 3 event featured Thomas Horan, director of safety and security at UPG, who spoke on identity theft and its potential impact on victims.

UPG will be the site for the Antique Car Club of America regional show, set for May 26-28, which is expected to draw 1,400 visitors to campus. The UPG Staff Association will set up a food booth at the car show to raise money for the various community projects it supports.

—Peter Hart